ONDO 2016: Akeredolu Defeats Tinubu’s Candidate; Wins APC Governorship Primary

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Sunday, September 4th, 2016

ONDO, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A former National President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has emerged the winner of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship primary election.

The exercise which took place Saturday, at the International Event Centre, Akure, the Ondo State capital started as early as 8am with accreditation of a total of 2774 party delegates, while voting proper started around 12noon.

At the end of the voting which ended about 6.30pm, Mr Akeredolu polled 669 votes to defeat his close rival Dr. Segun Abraham who recorded 635 votes.

Chief Olusola Oke who scored 583 and Senator Ajayi Boroffice with 471 votes emerged the second and third runners up respectively of the exercise which was keenly contested by 24 aspirants of the party.

Before Saturday, there have been flexing of muscle among the gladiators and stakeholders. While Dr. Abraham was supported by the APC National Leader and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Akeredolu who received similar support from Tinubu had vowed that he (Asiwaju) would be amazed with the outcome of the primary.

Akerdolu contested the Governorship primary and represented the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the State 2012 Governorship poll with Tinubu’s support against the interest of party’s Chieftains and other aspirants.

At a point while the primary was ongoing, there was sporadic shooting while scuffle broke out among the security operatives.

The exercise took place with financial inducement as each the delegates received as high as bout N150,000 from the contestants to woe and get their support.